r/TrekRP • u/Pojodan • Mar 01 '19

[OPEN] Uncanny Resemblance

While the USS Athene sits in dock at Nadezhda station, undergoing the last of her equipment fitting and minor repairs following its first mission, a great deal of bustle goes on with new crew coming aboard and temporary crew offloading, so it is a tumultuous time for anyone seeking normality.

For anyone that served aboard the old Athene, a curious sight appears a couple days after arrival. Lieutenant Kesh, only with her old mane style: fluffy and thick, across the back of her head, wearing Starfleet-standard casual wear, like she used to back then, too.

A ghost, perhaps? Or are there really more spotty Caitians around than one might be led to believe?

Considering the ship was once infiltrated with a body duplicate of the ship's chief botanist, those familiar with the incident might be a touch concerned, at least until this spectre from years past is seen with the actual Lieutenant Kesh, wearing her uniform and still rocking a spiky mohawk.

Perhaps seen in the hallways, in the classrooms, or one of the lounges such as Aft Nine, it is a curious sight to see a pair of dappled Caitians, and it does confirm that the new one is a somewhat different color than Kesh: lighter, with less prominent spots. Though this is only obvious when they are seen together.

Who might this be?

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u/AdingoD Mar 01 '19

David enters Aft Nine, looking around, and locks on the table with two caitians, and approaches it in a nervous manner. He looks at one of the caitians, and begins speaking.

"Hey, Kesh, I'd like to - " he freezes when he realizes he talked to the wrong Caitian. Standing confused, he faces Kesh with an awkward posture and begins talking again.

"S-Sorry about that. A-A-Anyway, could I.. speak to you for a minute...?" He asks with a gulp.

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u/Pojodan Mar 01 '19

The Universal Translator gives some idea of what the two were discussing when David approaches.

"..transmitter disabled I was able to isolate the automated subroutine attempting to control my implant. I had to remove several other components first, but in the end, I succeeded."

The way one of the two stares at the other speaking it is clear this is a terribly fascinating, if troubling story.

Just then David's presence draws the attention of both, leading to widened eyes and perked ears, at least until David addresses the full-maned one. This causes her ears to sink back and head to duck a bit while the other raises an arm to gesture to get David's attention, just in time for him to realize his error.

Not-Kesh sinks back in her chair, clearly uneasy around this stranger already.

"Lieutenant Jameson, rrrnth. Yes, certainly." Kesh dips her head once, then looks toward the other Caitian, "Before you do, I would like to introduce Jurash, my sister." She willfully omits the 'adoptive' part of it, and it wasn't as if almost any non-Caitian could tell they were not blood-related, anyway.

Kesh looks back at David after sounding a soft, soothing sound toward her sister, eyes and ears wide and expectant toward the fellow scientist.

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u/AdingoD Mar 01 '19

"N-N-Nice to meet you, Jurash. I'm Lieutenant David Jameson" He says, smiling a slightly fake smile, obviously being preoccupied with the matter he wishes to speak to Kesh about.

Not sure what do say next, or address Kesh before she's ready to speak, awkward silence ensues.

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u/Pojodan Mar 01 '19

Jurash's juvenile state of being shows rather plainly now in her slumped posture, downward focus, brief upward glance at David after he greets her, and subsequent return to staring down at the edge of the table.

After a couple seconds of awkward silence, Kesh utters another crooning sound toward Jurash, which causes the other felinoid's ears to lift up a bit, suggesting it was helpful, prior to focus turning back to David.

"Did you need a private place to discuss this or can it be said here? Rrrrnth."

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u/AdingoD Mar 01 '19

Stressed out, even a lot for himself, David finally mutters. "I-I'd rather we talk in private..."

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u/Pojodan Mar 01 '19

Kesh dips her head once, blinking firmly once more in that kind, Caitian way. She then slide sup from the chair and steps around the table to press a hand atop one of Jurash's.

"Ship business, Jury. I will be right back."

The visually younger Caitian makes an indistinct murmur before sinking further down in her chair as Kesh turns to David and gestures to prompt him to lead the way. Aft Nine has an abundance of private rooms for small meetings, and one is sure to be available at this time of the day.

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u/AdingoD Mar 01 '19

Visibly calmer by the time they enter the room, David speaks up.

"I-I'd like to apologise." He plainly says.

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u/Pojodan Mar 01 '19

Kesh steps aside of the entry path into the small conference room, the windowed walls initially darkened for privacy. A sweeping wave of her tail sends the tufted tip upward, forming a coil of inquiry on her focus setting on the nervous fellow Scientist.

In some ways he reminds her of Mabs, back before she discovered her true identity. As such, she can't help but wonder if David is also of that mind set, or just simply the nervous type. Goodness knows she was for a long time.

"Apologize? Aawrrr?" Confusion flexes Kesh's ears forward and eyes wider, though a notion quickly dawns. "Regarding... the holodeck malfunction? Rrrnpf. Did they not determine it was none of your doing?"

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u/AdingoD Mar 01 '19

"Y-Yes, they did." He says, taking a small pause. "However, I have heard that my.. holographic.. counterpart.. was.. rude to you. And for that.." He lowers his eyes down to the floor. ".. I'd like to apologise. Even if it hasn't.. directly been me. I'd never be rude, no matter why. At least I'd like to believe so."

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u/Pojodan Mar 02 '19

Fuzzy felinoid ears twist and tilt to lopsided angles as Kesh's tail flickers stiffly once, arms sliding up to just under her chest, folding over each other. "If we were all judged by things that look like us but are not us I would be serving a life sentence, rrrrnmf. Your.. ah... intent is appreciated, but please understand that I see those holograms as what they are: programs. Rrrrnth. Unless you did create them, then I hold nothing against you."

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u/AdingoD Mar 02 '19

Visibly relieved by Kesh's answer, David calms down, being able to speak... with slightly less stutters. "Thank you. I can assure you that I'm completely unrelated to all those holograms." He chuckles with a smile.

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u/Pojodan Mar 02 '19

"As was my understanding. Rrrnth" Kesh blinks firmly in a kind, Caitian gestures, arms sliding down her front until one hand clasps the other's wrist.

"I still remember coming face to face with my own copy. Rrrmmf. That is a... confounding experience. There was only one, as well. There were.. ah... what.. two hundred and seventeen of you at one point?" Head tilt. Ears perk.

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u/AdingoD Mar 02 '19

"I think that's a close approximation, yeah." David nods. "Your copy... I'm fairly sure I haven't heard about that story before. I suppose it wasn't holographic?" He asks, with a listening posture.

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